Of all my multi-tools, those of the Bear & Son brand are a bit special. Special in that they were a challenge for me to collect, which boosted my interest in these tools, at least from a Canadian perspective. What I also like about them is their general build and heftiness. I hear a lot of people talk about polished Victorinox SwissTools and Spirits, and how beautiful they are. I consider the Bear & Son to be in the same field with their polished stainless steel exteriors. They may not be as well constructed as the Victorinox, but they are brutally simple and durable multi-tools that have that sexy polished exterior. These guys are built and feel like a tank. I like that honesty in character that these tools reflect. And for those who find history interesting, Bear was sold to Victorinox, and I feel, the result was the SwissTool line. The company was bought once again in 2004 and became Bear & Son. For a better historical perspective on this interesting company...
http://gnelson.hubpages.com/hub/Bear-Son-Cutlery-An-American-CompanyNow of course, I won't be talking about their knives, as I do not own a single copy. However, I will show what I have in terms of Bear & Son, including some related products, mostly that of Crescent tools and their ToolZall line.
Bear multi-tools are an old design. The first model, the Bear MGC Bear Jaws came out back in 1996. The locking lever versions came out in 2001. There hasn't been an update on this timeless collection since, that I am aware of at least. The Bear lineup is also interesting in that there are 3 tool sizes, which I will say are large, medium, and small. Also interspersed into these size variants, are some interesting dedicated tools that you just don't see often, especially those aimed at bird hunting, and their venerable electricians models.
Bear & Son Cutlery is currently located in Jacksonville Alabama, USA, and they are proud of that fact. From what I have read on their official web site, they are a manufacturers that does everything in house.
Enough of the background, and time for the collection photos and stuff.
When I first started collecting Bear multi-tools (I found out about them here on these forums), I was puzzled about these hard to get collector tins from both Victorinox and Bear. It was only later that I found out that Victorinox owned Bear for a few years...then it made sense. I have 2 of these boxes. I know there are more versions out there. These type of sets usually contain a Mini Bear Jaw, and something from the Victorinox catalog.
Bear's smallest multi-tool is the Mini Bear jaws. This 2 1/2" long tool is a miniature of their larger tools, which gives it instant cuteness. There are only 4 folding tools, but for its size, it is feature rich. It also comes in stainless steel, or, as far as I know, 4 painted colours. There is a black, green, blue, and red version. For the collector, these can be hard to get in like new condition as the paint does wear off, chip, and scratch easily. I see from Bear's official web site, they are only selling the stainless steel version...so I can hazard to state that the painted Mini Bear Jaws are probably now discontinued.
12 Functions :
- 2 in 1 Pliers
- Wire Cutters
- Electrical Crimper
- Standard Scale
- Metric Scale
- 2 in 1 File
- Bottle Opener
- Small Phillips Screwdriver
- Small Standard Screwdriver
- Clip Point Blade
Thus, their small tool comprises the ever cute Mini Bear Jaws. Their medium multi-tool which is 4" long closed, are called Bear Jaws.
Here is an example of the Bear Jaws. Note the sexy polished stainless. I may add those stainless steel handles are thick and build very rugged. Note that this is the older locking version that is now discontinued as they only currently sell the lever style locking versions of their tools.
18 Functions :
- 2 in 1 Pliers
- Wire Cutters
- Electrical Crimper
- Standard Scale
- Metric Scale
- Serrated Sheepsfoot Blade
- 3 in 1 File
- Bottle Opener
- Can Opener
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Standard Medium Screwdriver
- Standard Large Screwdriver
Another version is the Bear Jaws Sportsman. With this version, you replace one of the blades found in the Bear Jaws, with a saw. Now long discontinued.
As previously mentioned, the locking versions came out in 2001, and consequently, you can only buy the locking versions today. Here is an example of the locking version. With Bear & Son, identifying the older and locking versions couldn't be easier. The newer locking tools have 2 levers that stick out and are easy to see. I must say, the older tools did feature locking mechanisms, but they were the same as those featured on Leathermans original SuperTool. You need to pull out another tool to disengage the locking metal tab. Not as convenient as the locking levers. Likewise, like the old SuperTool, if you by accident, pull out all the tools, it became very difficult if not impossible to unlock the metal tab. In fact, if you ever see an old tool with a bent metal tab, you can figure someone somewhere did just that and was forced to apply a flat screwdriver and ended up bending the locking tab. I have seen that a few times.
Anyways, here we have the newer and more convenient locking lever Bear Jaws.
You can see the locking levers in the following photo, pivoted out with the other tools. To unlock, simply press down on the lever, and it disengages the metal locking tab. A lot more convenient, but they do stick out from the tool. This can cause some catching on things when sheathing your tool away, depending on what orientation you are trying to stow it away. Note that the tool set is exactly the same as the above older Bear Jaws with the addition of the unlocking levers.
In the same medium size family is one of Bear's somewhat unique offering in the multi-tool world. Meet the Bear Jaws Electrician.
The Bear Jaws Electricion features a wire stripper/cutter head. Not many multi-tools feature this. The Bear Electrician is particularly nice.
Now stepping into their largest tools which all are 4 1/2" closed, the Super Bear Jaws lives up to this family's expectations. This is a heavyweight and heavy duty multi-tools. My example has the locking levers.
18 Functions :
- 2 in 1 Pliers
- Wire Cutters
- Electrical Crimper
- Standard Scale
- Metric Scale
- Serrated Sheepsfoot Blade
- 3 in 1 File
- Bottle Opener
- Can Opener
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Standard Medium Screwdriver
- Standard Large Screwdriver
Included with this large tool are a few very interesting models. Bear & Son also produce some very beautiful shear style multi-tools. I will say, these are a very beautiful and classy design.
Meet the Super Bear Jaws Bird shears. This bird hunter specific tool features a few specialized tools.
7 Functions :
- Cutting Shears
- Standard Scale
- Metric Scale
- Serrated Sheepsfoot Blade
- Fowl Hook
- Standard Medium Screwdriver
- Drop Point Blade
And if that wasn't enough specialization for you, they also made a Gardner version called The Super Bear Jaws Gardner.
7 Functions :
- Cutting Shears
- Standard Scale
- Metric Scale
- Serrated Sheepsfoot Blade
- Weeder
- Standard Medium Screwdriver
- Drop Point Blade
And that would be the end of our story here, as Bear & Son only currently produce 6 different multi-tools. However, it appears that Bear also produced many of Crescent's ToolZall line as well. There are also a few models that appear (if not made by), to be based on Bear's designs.
For example, there is the Remington Sportsman Series Birder. This version replaces the flat driver of the Bear with a shotgun choke tool for 12 and 20 gauge. Also, the shears also feature a bone notch that would make clipping wings a lot easier.
Now, Crescent's ToolZall line of multi-tools are mostly Bear produced.
Here is a ToolZall Pro, which means its a 4" Bear Jaws in size.
Here we have an anomaly. A tool based on the Electrician, but does not appear to be produced by Bear.
However, here is one that is made by Bear.
Here is a ToolZall Pro XL. This is Super Bear Jaws in size (4 1/2").
Another ToolZall Pro.
Here is a weird one. An older Crescent ToolZall which is a PST clone. Either Leatherman had a hand in this, or they didn't, which might explain why Crescent partnered with Bear later on. I am only guessing here.
Here are a few Bear & Son sheaths. The older design featured green lettering. Newer sheath is on the right, and not as nice looking as the older versions. The sheath on the far left came with a Bear Bit kit, and features a secondary pocket to stow the bit kit in.
And the bonus shot, that of my Bear & Son collection drawer.